It’s been a minute since I last sat in to catch George Clinton, back then he was with the P Funk Allstars. Needless to say, it’s been a stone-cold groove for the last two decades, and this night, fans were prime and ready to bask in the glory that is Parliament.
I was pleasantly surprise by the composition of the crowd rolling in to see Mr. Clinton. Not only was the crowd of all nationalities, but of all age groups too. Despite the weather being a little chilly outside, the House of Blues in Anaheim was about to have its roof set on fire.
With the pre-show music coming over the A setting the mood, as soon as the lights dimmed, the crowd lost its mind. They were ready for the modern day father of punk-funk and once the band walked on stage, it was time for the Parliament-Funkadelic freak show!
You would never know it based on his cool Rock and Roll Hall of Fame demeaner on stage, but at 83Clinton was full of energy and you could feel the energy from his smile as he said hello to the Anaheim crowd with just for the funk of it with “(Not Just) Knee Deep.”
The band was just as eclectic in appearance take from the past and the new, but emanating the purest form of funk with classic songs all night long.
Playing the songs the crowd wanted to hear from their rich history as Parliament, Funkadelic, Dr. Funkenstein riffs and even some covers.
But it was “Atomic Dog,” that brought the house down, then “Flashlight” had everyone screaming at the top of their lungs.
Other favorites included “Meow Meow,” “One Nation Under Groove,” “Get Low,” and “Aqua Boogie.”
The House of Blues was transported the entire night back to the ‘70s, and honestly, I’ve never been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, but I can’t imagine the energy and fun can top the insanely animated crowd that night.
OK so the crowd knew this was the Farewell tour, and Clinton being 83 as expected took a seat on a stool during some songs but he made it look cool as he just sat there while the band picked up the torch and entertained the hell out of the HOB.
“Pole Power,” “Maggot Brain,” and especially “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” was mesmerizing to say the least. The crowd loved, loved, loved when Clinton took them into “P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up).”
As for the cover that brought the house down, that honor belonged to House Of Pain’s “Jump Around.” Then, it got real with “Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On” and “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker).” The funk was definitely in the house for that one!
Truth of the matter is George Clinton is the King of Funk, and all his loyal subjects were in the house. It’s hard to believe it is his farewell tour. Botton line Clintton displayed the power and grace that decades of being music royalty brings.
What a night for music, what a night to see a living legend, what a night to say goodbye to Parliament featuring George Clinton.
